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ODB++ is a proprietary, hierarchical data model and file format used in the printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing industry. The acronym stands for Open DataBase and the "++" signifies that it's an advancement from the original ODB format.

The ODB++ format was created by Valor Computerized Systems, Ltd. as a comprehensive, unified data exchange format to replace older formats like Gerber, Excellon, and GENCAD. The goal was to convey more complex design information in a structured way to help eliminate errors and ambiguities during the manufacturing process.

Unlike more basic formats such as Gerber, which only contain graphical representations of the PCB layers, ODB++ captures a wide variety of data including:

Stackup

Details of the layering in the PCB, including copper, dielectric, and other types of layers.

Components: Information about all components in the design, including their values, part numbers, and package types.

Netlist

The list of electrical connections between components.

Drills and Routings

Information about all the holes to be drilled and paths to be routed on the PCB.

Placement

Information about where components should be placed, which can be used by pick-and-place machines.

Bill of Materials (BOM)

List of all the parts and materials required to manufacture the PCB.

Because it contains such a wide variety of information, ODB++ can be used to drive a wide range of manufacturing processes, including fabrication, assembly, and test. It's supported by a wide range of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools, as well as by many PCB manufacturers. The latest version of the standard is ODB++X, which is a more advanced version based on the XML format.